For decades, Alfred Hitchcock has been regarded as one of the greatest creative directors of all time. As a master of suspense, Hitchcock is mostly unrivaled andSuspicionis certainly no exception. However, after the director was coerced into an ending he was not in favor of,the movie’s abrupt final scene made Hitchcock regret casting Cary Grantas his lead actor. The 1941 movie marked thefirst collaboration between Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant, which became the foundation for their future endeavors. Yet despite this, Hitchcock still called Grant’s undoubted talents as an actor into question because of one crucialSuspicionchange.
Suspicionis based on the 1932 novel,Before the Fact. Hitchcock’s adaptation features Cary Grant,who became the king of classic Hollywood, and mostly remains faithful to the source material. However,Suspicionmakes one surprising change in its final moments, leading to a dissatisfying conclusion that the director later regretted. Although the movie is still considered one ofHitchcock’s best murder mysteries, the abrupt ending sparked criticism during its opening, and the controversy remains pertinent to this day (viaLos Angeles Times). It stands to reason thatSuspicioncould have kept its original finale while maintaining its standing in Hitchcock’s cinematic legacy.
Alfred Hitchcock Regretted Casting Cary Grant In Suspicion Because Of The Ending
An Innocent Conclusion Was Considered As Better Suited To Cary Grant
Suspiciondoes have a credible reputation, but Hitchcock’s movie strays from the darker nature of the novel, which bestows a far more sinister outcome on the couple. In point of fact,the director’s original vision forSuspicionwas hampered by the studio, who demanded he give the couple an unmeritedhappy ending. Originally, Hitchcock had planned for Johnnie to murder his wife by poisoning her in the film’s final moments (viaSlash Film). It would be reasonable to argue this would’ve been a more fitting conclusion for both the novel and a classic Hitchcock film.
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The turn of events was mostly because of the studio’s opposition to Cary Grant being pictured as a villain. Up until this point, Grant was established as a charismatic leading man with plenty of charm, as seen inBringing Up BabyandThe Philadelphia Story. Theexecutives were concerned that Hitchcock’s movie would destroy Grant’s image, which ultimately led to a redirection in the protagonist’s story. Hitchcock agreed with the disapproval of audiences after settling on a harmless conclusion, which led to him wishing he had cast another actor — in the hopes he could have been truthful to Francis Iles' gripping story.
Even With Cary Grant, Suspicion Should Have Kept Its Original Ending
Grant Could Have Benefited From A Change Of Pace
Suspicionwas certainly very different from Grant’s usual work and, as a result, was an incredibly important project for the actor. Grant’s more menacing depiction in the psychological thriller highlighted a whole new range that demonstrated his versatility across different genres. Given this, it’s not unreasonable to speculate thatSuspicionwould have been more impactful had it committed to Hitchcock’s vision.A more unexpected conclusion would have astounded audiences, and it undoubtedly held the potential to redefine the cinematic experience of that century.
Grant’s performance throughout the film was incredibly strong and proved that he would have been capable of executing Hitchcock’s original vision.
More importantly, the actor had proven himself capable of a sinister ending. Grant’s performance throughout the film was incredibly strong and proved that he would have been capable of executing Hitchcock’s original vision. Yet,the studio cut scenes that made Grant appear evil, consequently shortening the film’s final runtime. The concluding shot would have shown Johnnie mailing Lina’s letter as he “whistles cheerfully,” (via aninterview with François Truffaut) after his wife drank the poisoned milk. The original ending ofSuspicionwould have better suited the film’s tone and would have given Johnnie the final upper hand over Lisa – with or without Grant.
